Pink Lake in Crimea: features and location

On the territory of the Kerch Peninsula between Kerch and Theodosia stretches Lake Koyashskoe, better known as Rose. The rumor about him quickly spread throughout the country - it is believed that it is so bright and saturated color that it can be seen even from an airplane. Let's try to figure out whether this is so.

Among the Crimean sights you can find a lot of unique natural phenomena that can not be found in other parts of our planet. Without a doubt, one of these places was Lake Koyashskoe, which is popularly called Pink. Tourists from all over the world come to see its beauty - this is not surprising, because the terrain is very picturesque, the salt and mud of the lake have pronounced healing properties, and the cost of visiting a recreation area is very democratic.

In previous years, a large mud volcano was located on the site of a modern lake, above it were the waters of the Red Sea. For thousands of years, the surf formed a sandy pour into the sea - a small strip of land 3 km long and approximately 100 m wide, which turned the small bay into a completely independent lake with saline waters.

It actively grows and multiplies microscopic alga called Dunaliella salina - it is distinguished by the fact that in large quantities produces a special pigment, the coloring components of which give the water that unique pink tint. The water is very salty - the salt concentration reaches 35 ppm - this means that 1 liter of water contains 35 g of salt.

In ancient times, people lived near the lake, according to archaeological excavations. So, at the beginning of the last century, the ruins of the ancient place Kimmerik, presumably erected in the 5th c. BC er For a long time it was the capital of the Cimmerian state, and later became the main stronghold of the Bosporian kingdom and for many years defended the borders of the country from the raids of the Scythians.

In the 90s. of the last century, a stela has been spotted here by ancient runes, it is now kept in the Tauride Museum in Simferopol. This unique archaeological site belongs to the 6th century. n uh, in that period, the Goths, who worshiped Odin, had just begun to settle the territory of the Crimea. Historians have calculated that in this place was located their main sanctuary.

It is obvious that the unusual lake in the Crimea always filled the antiquity with a sacred meaning, which its waters contained in an unusual shade contained in themselves. However, the salt crystals themselves were no less valuable. For many centuries they were the only spice known to people, and therefore were valued rather expensive. And the salt of Koyashky Lake, which also had healing properties, was completely priceless, so it was supplied directly to the Russian Imperial Court.

In 1998, the reservoir and adjacent lands with a total area of ​​1,592 hectares were included in the Opuksky Reserve, which includes the steppe, as well as the coastal and partly marine zones. On the territory of the natural monument grows many of the most unique plants, and about 20 of them are now listed in the Red Book. About 60 species of birds and more than 30 rare animals are also under state protection.

Koyashskoye lake is literally strewn with small stone islands, where salt crystals form intricate patterns and sculptures, they flicker in the rays of the sun and are reflected in the water, which makes the picture truly fascinating. The best time to visit is the second half of spring. - At this time, the water gets its own unique shade, with the advent of summer heat it evaporates, and the shores of the pink lake are covered with a yellow border.

A truly spectacular place looks at sunset. The scarlet rays of the setting sun illuminate the surface of the water with crimson paint, which gives it a fantastic and much surreal look - this watch is ideal for taking beautiful photos as a keepsake.

In addition to the lake itself, of great interest and its surroundings: near the coast, you can see the cliffs, sailboats, which look like the outlines of ships, and 16 km from the coast, the most real ship lies at the bottom, which sank even in ancient times and rests there under a fragment of rock.

Drying near the lake in the summertime is a scorched desert, but in the spring it is filled with dozens and even hundreds of flowers of the most unusual colors - this picture is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.

Hundreds and even thousands of tourists annually come to Lake Koyashskoye in an effort to enjoy its pink color. This is not surprising, since the photographs presented in magazines and on the Internet are truly impressive - flamingo-colored lake, light green isthmus and turquoise sea.

There are other equally impressive shots: the ugly snags of trees with salty growths growing out of the water of a soft crimson color protrude from them. And, of course, hands that have scooped up a handful of pink salt. How not to take off and not come to such a heavenly place?

However, most of the tourists leave disappointed - the lake turns out to be gray, the salt has dried up on the coastline of a dirty brown color, and there are no salt growths on the trees, and the trees and shrubs growing here are far from pictures. The smell is not pleasant either: instead of violet aroma, tourists inhale the smell of rotten cabbage mixed with sulfuric ointment.

Let's see if this is the pink lake of Koyash ever? Of course! Maybe the images and give a bit of juiciness, but not so much to give this slush to a bright rose, and the salt of reddish color is available here.

The alga Dunaliella salina develops at the bottom of the reservoir due to its volcanic origin. During active flowering, which accounts for the last decade of April – first half of May, coloring pigment, water and salt coloring is started. It is this plant that spreads a pleasant floral scent around.

Artemia crustaceans live in colonies and contribute to improving the shade of the reservoir. By themselves, they can not significantly dye the water, but with the role of additives cope perfectly, giving the desired shade of water at the most unusual time, for example, at the end of summer.

Koyashskoe lake is located, as already mentioned, on the Kerch Peninsula. However, old-timers point out that this is a godforsaken area, and it is rather difficult to find a more unfortunate territory in the Crimea. If you look at the map, you can see that the village closest to the reserve is called Maryevka, Borisovka and Yakovenkovo ​​are located a little further, but their names will say little to tourists. It is still better to use Maryevka as a guideline, since the barrier of the reserve is located precisely on its part.

From the bus station of the city of Kerch to the destination can be reached by bus number 78, the road will take about an hour and a half. Keep in mind that in the direction of the reserve there are only 3 flights per day - the first departs at about 5 am, the second flight at one o'clock and the last - at about 5 in the evening, when going to Pink Lake already does not make any sense.

It is best to choose an early flight. Get off the bus best in Yakovenkovo ​​and along the coastal line to go through the reserve. The fact that the bus is not moving on the main highway. You can get out in Maryevka - but this is already stopping later. You can go by car, but only to the territory of the protected zone.

It is best to book an organized excursion, especially since nobody will allow you to drive through the protected area unaccompanied anyway. If you wish, you can order a bus, you will only need a driver's license and driving experience of more than three years. Such a trip will cost 2-2.5 thousand rubles, for a small company of 4-5 people this is a fairly reasonable decision.

So, let's move on to the main question - when is it better to go to Pink Lake? If you want to enjoy its unusual shade, it is best to travel from mid-April to early June, it is during this period that algae blooms. By the way, during this period the first spring flowers bloom, therefore, not far from the reserve in Nikitsky Botanical Garden, alternating tulip, iris and, of course, lilac festivals constantly take place. Fans of beautiful flowers are going to Opuksky Reserve from all parts of the Crimea to take pictures of the famous Shrenka tulip - and at this moment Lake Koyashskoye is already pink.

And the most inappropriate time to visit is Midsummer. The fact is that the lake itself is rather shallow, about 1 meter deep, so by July it is completely dry under the hot rays of the sun, and strong winds begin to spread salt crystals over the adjacent territories. That is why the summer tours are not carried out, resuming only in September, when the heating of the air is close to comfortable for the person parameters.

However, the pink color during this period is no longer to be caught, and visitors will only have to admire the reserve, as well as the Cimmerian settlement and the rocks resembling a ship. In winter, especially in February, as in March, the lake also does not represent any tourist value.

Lake Koyash is valued not only for its beauty, but also for the beneficial properties of its water. Due to the increased concentration of sea salt and in combination with bottom muddy sediments, therapeutic mud is formed here, which in its chemical composition is close to the products of the famous balneological resort Saki.

The enzyme beta-carotene contained in water has powerful antioxidant properties, participates in the immune processes of the body, and also stimulates adaptation mechanisms.

Due to the action of antioxidants, the breakdown of fats and the neutralization of dangerous free radicals occurs, which significantly reduces the risk of neurological and cardiovascular pathologies, including such as deficient states, atherosclerosis and IHD.

If you intend to visit the Pink Lake, then you need to prepare for this trip. The main thing is to put on comfortable shoes, as the reserve will have to walk a distance of about 6 km. Be sure to bring your hats with you - the hot, scorching sun and the absence of shadow often leads to a sunstroke, and you can get it in just half an hour.

If you want to run along the bottom of the lake and take beautiful pictures, then you should get rubber shoes for the beach or special slippers to protect against sea urchins. Ordinary slates are also suitable, but it is important that they fit snugly to the foot: if you fall into the muddy area, then you will pull out the foot from there, but the shoes may remain in the quagmire.

Given that the journey will take quite a long time, do not forget to take a snack with you.

According to travelers, the most beautiful photos were taken at sunset. That is why it is best to come to the lake around noon: take a walk, admire the shade of the reservoir, then go to the beach, explore the surrounding sights, the cape, and closer to the sunset, return to the lake.

See the video review of the pink lake below.